Title

Authors

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-23-2015

Abstract

This study serves as a formative evaluation of two evidence-based, healthy aging programs that are funded by the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (ECIAAA). The first, the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, is a six-session course designed to alleviate symptoms of chronic health issues in older adults and encourage participants to act as self-advocates in regard to their health. The second program, A Matter of Balance, attempts to reduce fear and risk factors related to falls in older adults over the course of eight sessions. The methodology of this study involves focus groups with former participants of these programs as well as key informant interviews with program teachers and trainers to better understand the advantages, challenges, and implications of administering such programs; the roles and relationships of the practitioners and consumers of these services; and in what ways program involvement affects said practitioners and consumers, with attention to the programs’ anticipated outcomes as well as other, secondary outcomes. This study aims to offer recommendations to ECIAAA and its contracted service providers for strengthening and scaling up their evidence-based, healthy aging programs in the future.

Recommended Citation

Raynor, Kathleen, "A Formative Evaluation of Select Evidence-Based, Healthy Aging Programs for Seniors in East Central Illinois" (2015). Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development to Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development—Student Research. 7.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/scced/7